12/19/08 Hay prices; deer crossings

It's been a roller coast ride for wheat growers this year. The same is true for hay. JOHNSTON "First crop hay came out and was extremely competitive. You know everybody was bidding against each other for the same ton of hay almost." Clark Johnston of Burley-based AgriSource says there was overproduction on hay and that obviously affected the market. JOHNSTON "I mean we were looking at prices over 200 a ton for dairy hay. How we're looking at price around 150 for just some hay. Guys aren't willing to move it right now so I think after the first of the year there's going to be some hay movement." On another note, the Idaho Transportation Department and the Fish and Game Department have developed a Highway Wildlife Web site. It is designed to alert motorist to wildlife corridors and to track game sightings around the state. Last year almost 13 hundred vehicles collided with wildlife in Idaho resulting in 200 serious injuries to drivers and passengers. To access the site, go to fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/manage_issues/collision. On Idaho Highway 21, outside of Boise there are frequent deer collisions as the deer move down to the foothills to forage for food. Throughout Idaho fences, signs, flashing warning lights and diversion tunnels have been installed to prevent collisions with wildlife. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott